Student Engineering Organizations

Engineers for a Sustainable World at the 2013 RPI Regional ESW Conference

There are several national engineering organizations that would welcome your participation and involvement. There are some with whom we are already affiliated and others where we are just now organizing student chapters. The organizations are typically student run, with student boards and officers.

The National Society of Women Engineers (SWE) empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and be recognized for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders. At Smith College, SWE works to prepare students for engineering industry careers by hosting professional development workshops, developing and facilitating educational outreach activities for young girls, and sponsoring students to attend professional conferences. To learn more about SWE and how to get involved, visit our website or contact the President at swe@smith.edu.

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) had its genesis at a national conference planned and hosted by the Society of Black Engineers at Purdue University in April 1975. NSBE's mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. Objectives of the organization are to stimulate and develop student interest in the various engineering disciplines; strive to increase the number of minority students studying engineering at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; encourage and advise minority youth in their pursuit of an engineering career; promote public awareness; and function as a representative body on issues and developments that affect the careers of Black Engineers. Contact the current president of our student chapter for more information.

Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) is a national organization aiming to forge innovative solutions to the challenges facing sustainability. At Smith, ESW engages students of all majors in design projects and dialogue about sustainability. For more information about ESW's projects, workshops, or round table discussions, see our SSN page, visit our website, or email eswsmith@smith.edu.

Tau Beta Kappa

Tau Beta Kappa (TBK) is Smith's name for the probationary chapter of the National Engineering Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi (TBP). It recognizes engineering students who excel academically and who demonstrate service to the community.

Each year the group commits to a community service activity or project. The chapter is run by students according to the rules governing TBP and advised by faculty. Juniors in the top one-eighth and seniors in the top one-fifth of their respective classes are invited to participate, according to the national TBP guidelines.